Alexandria Fire Department Celebrates EMS Week

May 24 at 9:00am the Inova Alexandria Hospital will sponsor a breakfast honoring EMS personnel. Alexandria’s Mayor William D. Euille will read the EMS Week Proclamation followed by an award ceremony and special remembrance ceremony for Paramedic Joshua Weissman.

May 25, EMS personnel will set up an informative display at Dulany Gardens, at the intersection of Dulany Street and Ballenger Street near the fountain from 10:30am to 2pm.

This year May 20 to 26, 2012 is Emergency Medical Service Week. The City of Alexandria prides itself on its Emergency Medical System (EMS) level and quality of care from its providers. This year EMS Week places emphasis on Learning Instructions For Emergencies or L.I.F.E. The City’s EMS personnel have developed a brochure which will be available and distributed during EMS Week. This brochure provides a brief description of life threatening conditions, what to look for, and what to do until help arrives. The conditions covered within the brochure are Cardiac Emergencies, Poisoning, Diabetes, Trauma, Allergic Reactions, Stroke, and Seizures.

On Thursday, May 24 at 9:00am the Inova Alexandria Hospital will sponsor a breakfast honoring EMS personnel. Alexandria’s Mayor William D. Euille will read the EMS Week Proclamation followed by an award ceremony. There will also be a special remembrance ceremony for Paramedic Joshua Weissman who lost his life on February 9 from injuries sustained while responding to an auto fire on Interstate 395 on February 8.

On Friday, May 25, EMS personnel will set up an informative display at Dulany Gardens, at the intersection of Dulany Street and Ballenger Street near the fountain from 10:30am to 2pm. EMS personnel will distribute brochures, offer to test blood sugar levels and check blood pressures.

Friday evening, May 25, the National Memorial EMS Bike Ride’s “Muddy Angels” will conclude in Alexandria. During the Ride, participants traveled through the states of Massachusetts, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

“To see these parts of the United States on a bicycle is such a unique perspective” says Tim Perkins, NEMSMBR Public Information Officer. “It’s also great to interact with the providers and agencies along the route, not to mention the reason for the Ride: honoring over 30 individuals who have given the ultimate sacrifice providing EMS care.”

This will be the third straight year in which the Ride will conclude in Alexandria, Virginia. “This year will be especially moving for the Alexandria Fire Department, as these folks will be recognizing our loss of Paramedic Joshua Weissman and his Line of Duty Death on February 9th of this year,” says Brian Hricik, EMS Operations Manager for the Alexandria Fire Department. “Friday evening we will be joined by our regional partners to welcome the riders back to our City as they conclude their ride.” Riders are expected to begin arriving in Alexandria at approximately 6:00pm and conclude their ride as one large group at the Alexandria Westin, 400 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, Virginia. More information regarding these bike rides can be found at http://www.muddyangels.org

On Saturday, May 26, EMS personnel will be at the City’s Farmers Market in front of City Hall, 301 King Street from 8:00am to noon. Additional EMS personnel will set up a display and information booth at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market, located at the intersection of East Oxford Street and Mount Vernon Avenue from 8:00am to noon. At all locations EMS personnel will be on hand to discuss the importance of what to do in case of a medical emergency and offer advise on how to prevent these events from occurring.

Please visit one of locations or events as the Alexandria Fire Department continues to educate the community on the importance of recognition and prevention of medical emergencies.